Controlling groups of electrical loads

ABSTRACT

A remote control device may be configured to transmit command messages based on user interactions. The remote control device may receive an indication of a user interaction and transmit a command message based on the indication of the user interaction. The command message may include a command to adjust an intensity level of a lighting device and a fade period. The fade period may include the period of time over which the lighting device is to transition to the intensity level. After a transmission interval period of time from when the command message was transmitted elapses and based on a subsequent user interaction, the remote control device may transmit another command message, which may include a command for the lighting device to adjust to another intensity level over the fade period. The fade period may be longer than the transmission interval.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 16/875,663, filed May 15, 2020, which claims priority from U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/849,521, filed May 17, 2019.Application Ser. No. 16/875,663 is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. Application No. 62/849,521 is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A user environment, such as a residence or an office building, forexample, may be configured using various types of load control systems.A lighting control system may be used to control the lighting loads in auser environment. The lighting control system may include variousdevices, such as input devices and load control devices, capable ofcommunicating via radio frequency (RF) communications. For example, aremote control device may be used to communicate with lighting devices(e.g., light bulbs) in the load control system to control the intensitylevel (e.g., a brightness or lighting level) of the lighting devices.

Lighting devices in the user environment may be collectively controlledby a common lighting control device that is capable of dimming the groupof lighting devices and/or toggling the group of lighting devices on andoff. Multiple lighting devices in the system may be independentlycontrolled by another lighting control device. Control of the lightingdevices may be based on a user interaction at the lighting controldevice. The user interaction may span a period of time, over which thelighting control device may transmit multiple wireless signals. Thewireless signals may include a command to control the lighting devices.As the signals are transmitted wirelessly, one or more of the wirelesssignals may not be successfully received. Further, the lighting devicesmay become out of sync with one another and/or may not be controlled ina uniform manner. For example, one lighting device may receive awireless signal causing the lighting device to change its intensitylevel, while another lighting device fails to receive the wirelesssignal. The lighting device that fails to receive the wireless signalmay not change its intensity level. The two lighting devices may beconfigured to change intensity level in unison, however, as a lightingdevice fails to receive all the wireless signals, the lighting devicesmay become out of sync (e.g., the lighting devices not change theirintensity level in unison). Similarly, it may appear to a user that thelighting control device is not functioning properly (e.g., the lightingdevice is unable to control the lighting devices) and may result in apoor user experience.

SUMMARY

A remote control device may be configured to transmit command messagesbased on user interactions. The remote control device may receive anindication of a user interaction via a user interface. The remotecontrol device may transmit a first command message based on theindication of the user interaction. The first command message mayinclude a command to adjust the intensity level at a lighting device anda fade period. The fade period may include the period of time over whichthe lighting device is to transition to the intensity level included ina respective command message. After a transmission interval period oftime from when the first command message was transmitted and based on asubsequent user interaction, the remote control device may transmit asecond command message. The second command message may include a commandfor the lighting device to adjust to another intensity level over thefade period. The fade period may be longer than the transmissioninterval (e.g. twice as long as the transmission interval).

The remote control device may be configured to periodically transmitcommand messages and/or repeat command messages while a rotation portionis being rotated. The user interface of the remote control device mayinclude a rotation portion and a user interaction may include rotationof the rotation portion. The intensity level included in a respectivecommand message may be based on an amount of rotation of the rotationportion. For example, the intensity level included in the second commandmessage may be based on the intensity level included in the firstcommand message and the amount of rotation of the rotation portionduring the transmission interval.

The remote control device may be configured to transmit a repeat commandmessage between respective command messages. For example, a repeatcommand message may be transmitted between the first command message andthe second command message. The repeat command message may be a repeatof the first command message. The repeat command message may betransmitted at a repeat interval from the beginning of a presenttransmission interval (e.g., a repeat interval period of time since thefirst command message was transmitted).

A remote control device may be configured to periodically transmitcommand messages and/or repeat command messages during successive userinteractions. The remote control device may receive an indication of afirst user interaction (e.g., rotation of the rotation portion). Inresponse to the first user interaction, the remote control device maytransmit first command messages. The remote control device mayperiodically transmit command messages at a transmission interval inresponse to successive user interactions (e.g., continued rotation ofthe rotation portion). The periodically transmitted command messages mayeach include a command to adjust to a respective intensity level (e.g.,based on the amount of rotation since the beginning of a respectivetransmission interval) over the fade period. The remote control devicemay transmit at least one repeat command message between the periodictransmission of command message. The repeat command messages may betransmitted at a repeat interval from the beginning of a presenttransmission interval. The repeat command message may include therespective command of the command message transmitted at the beginningof the present transmission interval. After the successive userinteractions have ceased, the remote control device may transmit aplurality of repeat command messages at the repeat interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict examples of a load control system that mayimplement one or more message types for communicating digital messages.

FIGS. 2A-2C are sequence diagrams depicting example message flows forquerying for a current status of lighting devices and generatinglighting control commands in response to the identified status.

FIG. 3A is a timing diagram depicting an example of controlling lightingdevices in a load control system using move-to-level commands.

FIG. 3B is a timing diagram depicting an example of controlling lightingdevices in a load control system using direct commands.

FIG. 4 includes plots of intensity level versus time that depict anexample of controlling multiple lighting devices in a load controlsystem.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts depicting example procedures forcontrolling lighting devices in a load control system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example load control device.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example controller device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example network device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example system controller (e.g., a hubdevice).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict examples of a load control system 100 that mayimplement one or more message types for communicating messages (e.g.,digital messages). As shown in FIG. 1A, the load control system 100 mayinclude various control devices, such as controller devices and/or loadcontrol devices. The controller device may send digital messages to theload control device to cause the load control device to control anamount of power provided from an AC power source 102 to an electric loadin the load control system 100.

Load control devices may control the electrical loads within a roomand/or a building. Each load control device may be capable of directlycontrolling the amount of power provided to an electrical load inresponse to communication from a controller device. Example load controldevices may include lighting devices 112 a, 112 b and/or lighting device122 (e.g., a load control device in light bulbs, ballasts, LED drivers,etc.). The lighting devices may be a lighting load itself, or a devicethat includes the lighting load and a lighting load controller.

A controller device may indirectly control the amount of power providedto an electrical load by transmitting digital messages to the loadcontrol device. The digital messages may include control instructions(e.g., load control instructions) or another indication that causes theload control device to determine load control instructions forcontrolling an electrical load. Example controller devices may include aremote control device 116. The controller devices may include a wired orwireless device.

Control devices (e.g., controller devices and/or load control devices)may communicate with each other and/or other devices via wired and/orwireless communications. The control devices may communicate usingdigital messages in a wireless signal. For example, the control devicesmay communicate via radio frequency (RF) signals 106. The RF signals 106may be communicated via an RF communication protocol (e.g., ZIGBEE;THREAD; near field communication (NFC); BLUETOOTH; BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY(BLE), WI-FI; a proprietary communication protocol, such as CLEARCONNECT or CLEAR CONNECT TYPE X, etc.). The digital messages may betransmitted as multicast messages and/or unicast messages via the RFsignals 106.

The lighting device 122 may be installed in a plug-in device 124, suchas a lamp (e.g., a table lamp). The plug-in device 124 may be coupled inseries electrical connection between the AC power source 102 and thelighting device 122. The plug-in device 124 may be plugged into anelectrical receptacle 126 that is powered by the AC power source 102.The plug-in device 124 may be plugged into the electrical receptacle 126or a separate plug-in load control device that is plugged into theelectrical receptacle 126 and configured to control the power deliveredto the lighting device 122.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be controlled by a wall-mountedload control device 110. Though the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b areshown in FIG. 1A, any number of lighting devices may be implemented thatmay be supported by the wall-mounted load control device 110 and/or theAC power source 102. The wall-mounted load control device 110 may becoupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source 102and lighting devices 112 a, 112 b. The wall-mounted load control device110 may include a mechanical switch 111 (e.g., a previously-installedlight switch) that may be opened and closed in response to actuations ofa toggle actuator (not shown) for controlling the power delivered fromthe AC power source 102 to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b (e.g., forturning on and off the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b). The lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b may be installed in respective ceiling mounteddownlight fixtures 114 a, 114 b or other lighting fixture mounted toanother surface. The wall-mounted load control device 110 may be adaptedto be wall-mounted in a standard electrical wallbox.

The remote control device 116 may be configured to transmit messages viathe RF signals 106 for controlling the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b.For example, the remote control device 116 may be configured to transmitmessages via the RF signals 106 to load control devices (e.g., thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b) that are within a wireless communicationrange of the remote control device. The remote control device 116 may bebattery-powered.

The remote control device 116 may be a retrofit remote control devicemounted over the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch 111. Theremote control device 116 may be configured to maintain the toggleactuator of the mechanical switch 111 in the “on” position (e.g., bycovering the switch when in the “on” position) to maintain the flow ofpower from the AC power source 102 to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b.In addition, the remote control device 116 may be mounted to anotherstructure (e.g., other than the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch111), such a as wall, may be attached to a pedestal to be located on ahorizontal surface, or may be handheld. Further, the wall-mounted loadcontrol device 110 may comprise a wall-mounted remote control devicethat replaces the previously-installed mechanical switch 111 and may beconfigured to operate as the remote control device 116 to control thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b (e.g., by transmitting messages via the RFsignals 106). Such a wall-mounted remote control device may derive powerfrom the AC power source 102.

The remote control device 116 may comprise a user interface having anactuation portion 117 (e.g., a “toggle” button), an intensity adjustmentactuator, such as a rotation portion 118 (e.g., a rotary knob), and avisual indicator, such as a status indicator 119. The actuation portion117 may be actuated (e.g., pushed in towards the mechanical switch 111)and the rotation portion 118 may be rotated (e.g., with respect to themechanical switch 111). The remote control device 116 may be configuredto transmit messages including commands for turning the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 on and off in response to actuations (e.g., presses)of the actuation portion 117 and commands for adjusting an intensitylevel (e.g., a brightness or lighting level) of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 in response to actuations (e.g., rotations) of therotation portion 118. Though a rotation portion 118 is disclosed, theuser interface of the remote control device 116 may include another typeof intensity adjustment actuator, such as a linear slider, an elongatedtouch sensitive actuator, a rocker switch, separate raise/loweractuators, or another form of intensity adjustment actuator.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be turned on or off, or theintensity level may be adjusted, in response to the remote controldevice 116 (e.g., in response to actuations of the actuation portion 117of the remote control device 116). For example, the lighting devices 112a, 112 b may be toggled on or off by a toggle event identified at theremote control device 116. The toggle event may be a user eventidentified at the remote control device 116. The actuation portion 117of the remote control device 116 may be actuated to toggle the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b on or off. The rotation portion 118 of the remotecontrol device 116 may be rotated to adjust the intensity levels of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b. The toggle event may be identified whenthe rotation portion 118 of the remote control device 116 is turned by apredefined amount or for a predefined time, and/or the actuation portion117 of the remote control device 116 is actuated. The intensity level ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be increased or decreased byrotating the rotation portion 118 of the remote control device 116 inone direction or another, respectively. Though shown as comprising arotary knob in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the remote control device 116 maycomprise a paddle switch that may be actuated by a user, a linearcontrol on which a user may swipe a finger, a raise/lower slider, arocker switch, or another type of control capable of receiving userinterface events as commands.

The remote control device 116 may provide feedback (e.g., visualfeedback) to a user of the remote control device 116 on the statusindicator 119. The status indicator 119 may provide different types offeedback. The feedback may include feedback indicating actuations by auser or other user interface event, a status of electrical loads beingcontrolled by the remote control device 116, and/or a status of the loadcontrol devices being controlled by the remote control device 116. Thefeedback may be displayed in response to user interface event and/or inresponse to messages received that indicate the status of load controldevices and/or electrical loads.

The status indicator 119 may be illuminated by one or more lightemitting diodes (LEDs) for providing feedback. The status indicator 119may be a light bar included around the entire perimeter of the remotecontrol device 116, or a portion thereof. The status indicator 119 mayalso, or alternatively be a light bar in a line on the remote controldevice 116, such as when the remote control device is a paddle switch ora linear control, for example.

Example types of feedback may include illumination of the entire statusindicator 119 (e.g., to different intensity levels), blinking or pulsingone or more LEDs in the status indicator 119, changing the color of oneor more LEDs on the status indicator 119, and/or illuminating differentsections of one or more LEDs in the status indicator 119 to provideanimation (e.g., clockwise and counter clockwise animation for raisingand lowering an intensity level). The feedback on the status indicator119 may indicate a status of an electrical load or a load controldevice, such as an intensity level for lights (e.g., lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122), a volume level for audio devices, a shade level fora motorized window treatment, and/or a speed for fans or other similartypes of devices that operate at different speeds. The feedback on thestatus indicator 119 may change based on the selection of differentpresets. For example, a different LED or LEDs may be illuminated on thestatus indicator 119 to identify different presets (e.g., presetintensity levels for the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or otherpreset configurations for load control devices).

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages via the RFsignals 106 to control the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Theremote control device 116 may be configured to transmit an on commandfor turning the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 on (e.g., an “on”event). For example, the on command may case the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to turn on to a maximum intensity level (e.g., a maximumlighting level, such as 100%), to a predetermined intensity level,and/or to a previous intensity level (e.g., an “on” event). In addition,the remote control device 116 may be configured to transmit an offcommand for turning the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 off (e.g.,0%). Further, the remote control device 116 may be configured totransmit a toggle command for toggling the state of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 (e.g., causing the lighting devices to turn from offto on (e.g., an “on” event, or from on to off (e.g., an “off” event).The intensity level for the “on” event and/or the “off” event may also,or alternatively, be stored at the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122and the lighting devices may change to the intensity level uponreceiving an indication of the occurrence of the “on” event or “off”event at the remote control device 116. The digital messages may causean “on” event when the remote control device 116 is rotated a predefineddistance or time in one direction. As an example, the remote controldevice 116 may transmit digital messages when the remote control device116 is identified as being rotated for 100 milliseconds (ms). Thedigital messages may indicate an “off” event when the remote controldevice 116 is rotated a predefined distance or time in the oppositedirection. The digital messages may indicate an “on” event or an “off”event when the actuation portion 117 of the remote control device 116 isactuated.

The remote control device 116 may be configured to adjust the intensitylevels of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 using absolute controlin order to control the intensity levels of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to an absolute level (e.g., a specific level). For example,the remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages including amove-to-level command (e.g., a go-to-level or go-to command) thatidentifies an intensity level to which the lighting devices may change.The move-to-level command may include the amount of time over which theintensity level may be changed at the lighting devices. Themove-to-level command may cause an “on” event or an “off” event to turnthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 on or off, respectively. Forexample, the “on” event may be caused by a move-to-level command with anintensity level of 100%, or another preset intensity level. The “off”event may be caused by a move-to-level command with an intensity levelof 0%.

In response to a user interface event (e.g., actuation, rotation, fingerswipe, etc.) or a proximity sensing event (e.g., a sensing circuitsensing an occupant near the remote control device 116) at the remotecontrol device 116, the remote control device 116 may determine astarting point (e.g., a dynamic starting point) from which the intensitylevel of one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may becontrolled. Each rotation of the rotation portion 118 may cause theremote control device 116 to determine the dynamic starting point fromwhich control may be performed. In response to the user interface eventand/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., a sensing circuit sensing anoccupant near the remote control device 116), the remote control device116 may transmit a status query message to the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to query for a current status (e.g., after awakening fromsleep mode). The current status of one or more of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 may be used to set the dynamic starting point fromwhich the remote control device 116 may perform control. For example,the remote control device 116 may set the dynamic starting point of therotation portion 118 to the current intensity level (e.g., on, off, 10%,20%, etc.) of the first of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 torespond to the status query message, or a predefined lighting device 112a, 112 b, 122. Examples of remote control devices configured to transmitstatus query messages prior to transmitting commands are described ingreater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 10,420,194, issuedSep. 17, 2019, entitled CONTROLLING GROUPS OF ELECTRICAL LOADS, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In another example, the remote control device 116 may set the dynamicstarting point of the rotation portion 118 based on the intensity levelsof multiple lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote controldevice 116 may set the dynamic starting point of the rotation portion118 to an average intensity level (e.g., on, off, 10%, 20%, etc.) of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, or a common intensity level (e.g.,on, off, 10%, 20%, etc.) of a majority of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122, for example. The remote control device 116 may set thedynamic starting point of the rotation portion 118 to a maximumintensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when therotation portion 118 is being rotated clockwise to raise the intensitylevel of the lighting devices, or a minimum level of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when the rotation portion 118 is being rotatedcounterclockwise to lower the intensity level of the lighting devices,for example. The status indicator 119 may be illuminated as feedback toreflect the dynamic starting point to the user. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may illuminate a portion of the status indicator 119that reflects the intensity level that is set as the dynamic startingpoint.

The remote control device 116 may calculate an increase or decrease inthe intensity level from the dynamic starting point based on the userinterface event. For example, the remote control device 116 maycalculate an increase or decrease in the intensity level based on thedistance or amount of time the rotation portion 118 is turned. Therotation from the point of the initial interaction by the user with therotation portion 118 may be used to identify the increase or decrease inthe intensity level from the dynamic starting point. When the remotecontrol device 116 includes a linear control, the remote control device116 may calculate an increase or decrease in the intensity level basedon the distance or amount of time the user swipes a finger up or down onthe linear control. The user's finger swipe from the point of theinitial interaction by the user with the linear control may be used toidentify the increase or decrease in the intensity level from thedynamic starting point.

The updated intensity level may be calculated from the user's initialinteraction and stored at the remote control device 116. The updatedintensity level may be included in a move-to-level command that istransmitted from the remote control device 116 to the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 when the remote control device 116 is using absolutecontrol.

The visual feedback displayed by the status indicator 119 may beprovided in or derived from the information in the move-to-level commandwhen the remote control device 116 is using absolute control. Forexample, the remote control device 116 may reflect the intensity leveltransmitted in the move-to-level command in the status indicator 119.

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages configuredto increase the intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 when the rotation portion 118 is rotated in a direction (e.g.,clockwise). As previously mentioned, the remote control device 116 maybe configured to adjust the intensity levels of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 to an absolute level using absolute control. In addition,or alternatively, the remote control device 116 may be configured toadjust the intensity levels of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122using relative control to adjust the intensity levels of the lightdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 by a relative amount. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may transmit digital messages configured to decreasethe intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when theremote control device 116 is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g.,counterclockwise). The digital messages may include a move-with-ratecommand, which may cause the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 tochange their respective intensity level by a predefined amount. Themove-with-rate command may include an amount of time over which theintensity level may be changed at the lighting devices. Themove-with-rate command may cause the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122to retain their relative or proportional intensity levels, and/ordifference in respective intensity levels. The remote control device 116may send digital messages to increase or decrease the intensity level bya predefined amount when rotated a predefined distance or for apredefined time. The amount of the increase or decrease may be indicatedin the digital messages or may be predefined at the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122. The digital messages may also include amove-to-level-over-time command, which may include both an intensitylevel to which to control the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and anamount of time over which the intensity level may be changed at thelighting devices.

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages that includemove-with-rate commands to increase or decrease the intensity level ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in predefined increments as theuser turns the remote control device 116 a predefined distance or timein one direction or another. The remote control device 116 may continueto transmit digital messages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122as the user continues to turn the remote control device 116. Forexample, the remote control device 116 may identify a rotation of apredefined distance or for a predefined time and send one or moredigital messages to instruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 toeach increase by ten percent (10%). The remote control device 116 mayidentify a continued rotation of a predefined distance or time and senddigital messages to instruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 toincrease by ten percent (10%) again.

The remote control device 116 may also, or alternatively, send digitalmessages for a direct command (e.g., “on” command, “off” command, togglecommand, etc.) to turn on/off the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.The remote control device 116 may transmit one or more digital messagesto the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when an on event or an offevent are detected. For example, the remote control device 116 mayidentify a rotation or actuation and send digital messages to instructthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to turn on and/or off. The remotecontrol device 116 may operate by sending a move-with-rate command afterturning on. For example, the remote control device 116 may identify arotation of a predefined distance or time after turning on and senddigital messages to instruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 toincrease and/or decrease their intensity levels by a predefinedintensity level (e.g., approximately 10%).

The remote control device 116 may transmit the digital messages asmulticast messages and/or unicast messages via the RF signal 106. Forexample, the digital messages including the move-with-rate command orthe move-to-level command may be transmitted as unicast messages.Unicast messages may be sent from the remote control device 116 directlyor via hops to each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Also, oralternatively, unicast messages may be sent from the remote controldevice 116 to each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 via one ormore hops (e.g., intermediary devices in the load control system thatmay retransmit the message to another control device for retransmissionand/or to one of the respective lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122). Theremote control device 116 may individually send a unicast message toeach of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 with which the remotecontrol device 116 is associated for performing load control. The remotecontrol device 116 may have the unique identifier of each of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 with which it is associated stored inmemory. The remote control device 116 may generate a separate unicastmessage for each lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 and address theunicast messages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122independently. The unicast messages may also include the uniqueidentifier of the remote control device 116. The lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 may identify the unicast messages communicated to them byidentifying their own unique identifier and/or a correspondingidentifier of the remote that are stored in an association dataset. Thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may operate according to theinstructions (e.g., load control instructions) in the digital messagescomprising their own unique identifier and/or the unique identifier ofan associated device, such as the remote control device 116. Forexample, when using some RF communication protocols (e.g., such as,ZIGBEE and THREAD), the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may eachtransmit an acknowledgement message to the remote control device 116 inresponse to receiving a unicast message from the remote control device.However, for other RF communication protocols (e.g., such as,BLUETOOTH), the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may not transmitacknowledgement messages to the remote control device 116 in response toreceiving unicast messages from the remote control device.

The digital messages may be transmitted via the RF signals 106 asmulticast messages. For example, the digital messages including a directcommand (e.g., an on command, an off command, and/or a toggle command)and/or a move-to-level command that causes an “on” event or an “off”event may be transmitted as multicast messages. In addition, the digitalmessages including the move-to-level command that causes the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to adjust their intensities by a large amount(e.g., larger than a threshold) may be transmitted as multicastmessages. The multicast messages may be communicated efficiently fromthe remote control device 116 as a single message may be transmitted tomultiple lighting devices, such as lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122,at once. The load control instructions in the multicast messages may bereceived and implemented by multiple lighting devices, such as lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122, at the same time, or at nearly the same timewith a minor delay due to differences in latency, as a single message isbeing received at a group of devices within the same wireless range. Forexample, the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may not transmitacknowledgement messages to the remote control device 116 in response toreceiving multicast messages from the remote control device.

The multicast messages may include a group identifier for controllingthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that are a part of the multicastgroup. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be a part of themulticast group when they are associated with the group identifier(e.g., by having the group identifier stored thereon) for recognizingmulticast messages transmitted to the group. The lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 that are associated with the group identifier may recognizethe multicast messages and control the corresponding lighting loadaccording to the command in the multicast messages. The lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 may forward the multicast messages with the groupidentifier for identification and load control by other lighting devicesassociated with the group identifier. The group may be formed atcommissioning or configuration of the load control system 100. Theremote control device 116 may generate the group identifier and send thegroup identifier to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or asystem controller (e.g., a hub device) when the remote control device116 is in an association mode (e.g., entered upon selection of one ormore buttons). The devices that store the group identifier may be partof the group of devices that are associated with the remote controldevice 116 and can respond to group messages.

Embodiments described herein are not limited to remote control devices,but other controller devices may also be used in the same, or similar,manner. For example, embodiments may include wired control devicesand/or plug-in control devices that communicate digital messages asdescribed herein.

FIG. 1B shows an example of the load control system 100 having otherdevices. For example, the load control system 100 may include othercontrol devices, such as controller devices and/or load control devices.The load control devices may be capable of controlling the amount ofpower provided to a respective electrical load based on digital messagesreceived from the controller devices, which may be input devices. Thedigital messages may include load control instructions or anotherindication that causes the load control device to determine load controlinstructions for controlling an electrical load.

Examples of load control devices may include a motorized windowtreatment 130 and/or the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, thoughother load control devices may be implemented. The controller devicesmay include a h, though other controller devices may be implemented. Thecontroller devices may perform communications in a configuration similarto the remote control device 116 as described herein. The load controldevices may perform communications in a configuration similar to thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 as described herein.

The load control devices may receive digital messages via wirelesssignals, e.g., radio-frequency (RF) signals 106. The wireless signalsmay be transmitted by the controller devices. In response to thereceived digital messages, the respective lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may be turned on and off, and/or the intensities of the respectivelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be increased or decreased. Inresponse to the received digital messages, the motorized windowtreatment 130 may increase or decrease a level of a covering material134.

The battery-powered remote control device 150 may include one or moreactuators 152 (e.g., one or more of an on button, an off button, a raisebutton, a lower button, or a preset button). The battery-powered remotecontrol device 150 may transmit RF signals 106 in response to actuationsof one or more of the actuators 152. The battery-powered remote controldevice 150 may be handheld. The battery-powered remote control device150 may be mounted vertically to a wall, or supported on a pedestal tobe mounted on a tabletop. The battery-powered remote control device 150may be a wireless device capable of controlling a load control devicevia wireless communications. Examples of remote control devices aredescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.8,330,638, issued Dec. 11, 2012, entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWEREDREMOTE CONTROL HAVING MULTIPLE MOUNTING MEANS, and U.S. Pat. No.8,471,779, issued Jun. 25, 2013, entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWEREDREMOTE CONTROL WITH LABEL SERVING AS ANTENNA ELEMENT, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The occupancy sensor 160 may be configured to detect occupancy and/orvacancy conditions in the space in which the load control system 100 isinstalled. The occupancy sensor 160 may transmit digital messages toload control devices via the RF communication signals 106 in response todetecting the occupancy or vacancy conditions. The occupancy sensor 160may operate as a vacancy sensor, such that digital messages aretransmitted in response to detecting a vacancy condition (e.g., digitalmessages may not be transmitted in response to detecting an occupancycondition). The occupancy sensor 160 may enter an association mode andmay transmit association messages via the RF communication signals 106in response to actuation of a button on the occupancy sensor 160.Examples of RF load control systems having occupancy and vacancy sensorsare described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011, entitled RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTINGCONTROL SYSTEM WITH OCCUPANCY SENSING, the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The daylight sensor 170 may be configured to measure a total light levelin the space in which the load control system 100 is installed. Thedaylight sensor 170 may transmit digital messages including the measuredlight level via the RF communication signals 106 for controlling loadcontrol devices in response to the measured light level. The daylightsensor 170 may enter an association mode and may transmit associationmessages via the RF communication signals 106 in response to actuationof a button on the daylight sensor 170. Examples of RF load controlsystems having daylight sensors are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013, entitledWIRELESS BATTERY-POWERED DAYLIGHT SENSOR, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

The motorized window treatment 130 may be mounted in front of a windowfor controlling the amount of daylight entering the space in which theload control system 100 is installed. The motorized window treatment 130may include, for example, a cellular shade, a roller shade, a drapery, aRoman shade, a Venetian blind, a Persian blind, a pleated blind, atensioned roller shade systems, or other suitable motorized windowcovering. The motorized window treatment 130 may include a motor driveunit 132 for adjusting the position of a covering material 134 of themotorized window treatment 130 in order to control the amount ofdaylight entering the space. The motor drive unit 132 of the motorizedwindow treatment 130 may have an RF receiver and an antenna mounted onor extending from a motor drive unit 132 of the motorized windowtreatment 130. The motor drive unit 132 may respond to digital messagesto increase or decrease the level of the covering material 134. Themotor drive unit 132 of the motorized window treatment 130 may bebattery-powered or may receive power from an external direct-current(DC) power supply. Examples of battery-powered motorized windowtreatments are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S.Pat. No. 8,950,461, issued Feb. 10, 2015, entitled MOTORIZED WINDOWTREATMENT, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,115,537, issued Aug. 25, 2015, entitledBATTERY-POWERED ROLLER SHADE SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference

Digital messages transmitted by the controller devices may include acommand and/or identifying information, such as a serial number (e.g., aunique identifier) associated with the transmitting controller device.Each of the controller devices may be associated with the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the motorized window treatment 130during a configuration procedure of the load control system 100, suchthat the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the motorized windowtreatment 130 may be responsive to digital messages transmitted by thecontroller devices via the RF signals 106. Examples of associatingwireless control devices during a configuration procedure are describedin greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2008/0111491, published May 15, 2008, entitledRADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,368,025,issued Jun. 14, 2016, entitled TWO-PART LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM MOUNTABLE TOA SINGLE ELECTRICAL WALLBOX, the entire disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may include a system controller 180 (e.g., ahub device or a system bridge) configured to enable communication with anetwork 182, e.g., a wireless or wired local area network (LAN). Forexample, the system controller 180 may be connected to a network router(not shown) via a wired digital communication link 184 (e.g., anEthernet communication link). The network router may allow forcommunication with the network 182, e.g., for access to the Internet.The system controller 180 may be wirelessly connected to the network182, e.g., using wireless technology, such as WI-FI® technology,cellular technology, etc. The system controller 180 may be configured totransmit communication signals (e.g., RF signals 106) to the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the motorized window treatment 130 forcontrolling the devices in response to digital messages received fromexternal devices via the network 182. The system controller 180 may beconfigured to transmit and/or receive the RF signals 106. The systemcontroller 180 may be configured to transmit digital messages via thenetwork 182 for providing data (e.g., status information) to externaldevices.

The system controller 180 may operate as a central controller for theload control system 100, and/or relay digital messages between thecontrol devices (e.g., lighting devices, motorized window treatments,etc.) of the load control system and the network 182. The systemcontroller 180 may receive digital messages from a controller device andconfigure the digital message for communication to a load controldevice. For example, the system controller 180 may configure multicastmessages and/or unicast messages for transmission as described herein.The system controller 180 may be on-site at the load control system 100or at a remote location. Though the system controller 180 is shown as asingle device, the load control system 100 may include multiple hubsand/or the functionality thereof may be distributed across multipledevices.

The load control system 100 may include a network device 190, such as, asmart phone, a personal computer, a laptop, a wireless-capable mediadevice (e.g., a media player, gaming device, or television), a tabletdevice, (e.g., a hand-held computing device), awireless-communication-capable television, or any other suitable networkcommunication or Internet-Protocol-enabled device. The network device190 may be operable to transmit digital messages in one or more InternetProtocol packets to the system controller 180 via RF signals 108, eitherdirectly or via the network 182. The RF signals 108 may be communicatedusing a different protocol and/or wireless band than the RF signals 106.In another example, the RF signals 108 and the RF signals 106 may be thesame. Examples of load control systems operable to communicate withnetwork devices on a network are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 10,271,407, issued Apr. 23, 2019,entitled LOAD CONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The network device 190 may include a visual display 192. The visualdisplay 192 may include a touch screen that may include, for example, acapacitive touch pad displaced overtop the visual display, such that thevisual display may display soft buttons that may be actuated by a user.The network device 190 may include a plurality of hard buttons, e.g.,physical buttons (not shown), in addition to the visual display 192. Thenetwork device 190 may download a product control application forallowing a user of the network device 190 to control the load controlsystem 100. In response to actuations of the displayed soft buttonsand/or hard buttons, the network device 190 may transmit digitalmessages to the load control devices and/or the system controller 180through the wireless communications described herein.

The operation of the load control system 100 may be programmed andconfigured using the system controller 180 and/or network device 190. Anexample of a configuration procedure for a wireless load control systemis described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.10,027,127, issued Jul. 17, 2018, entitled COMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROLSYSTEMS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may each be included in a groupof lighting devices that are associated with a common control device,such as the remote control device 116. For example, each of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may store the unique identifier of the remotecontrol device 116 during an association mode to enable the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to be controlled by digital messages from theremote control device 116 that include control instructions. The systemcontroller 180 may store the associations between each of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and the remote control device 116 during anassociation mode. The association information may be used by the systemcontroller 180 for routing digital messages to the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122, or the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may receivedigital messages from the remote control device 116 directly.

The remote control device 116 may be configured to transmit messages tothe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 via the system controller 180.For example, the remote control device 116 may be configured to transmitunicast messages to the system controller 180. The system controller 180may be configured to transmit an acknowledgement message to the remotecontrol device 116 in response to receiving a unicast message from theremote control device. The system controller 180 may be configured totransmit unicast and/or multicast messages to the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 for controlling the lighting devices in response to theunicast message received from the remote control device 116. Forexample, the remote control device 116 may send transmit a messageincluding a toggle command or an on/off command (e.g., an “on” commandor an “off” command) for controlling the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 to toggle the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 from an “on” stateto an “off” state, or vice versa. The remote control device 116 maytransmit a unicast message including the toggle command or the on/offcommand to the system controller 180, which may transmit a multicastmessage that is received at each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 In addition, the remote control device 116 may transmit a unicastmessage including a move-to-level command or a move-with-rate command tothe system controller 180, which may transmit unicast messages that areindependently directed to each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122.

The remote control device 116 may use the intensity level of a lightingdevice as a starting point (e.g., a dynamic starting point) upon whichdimming is performed for the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. For example, in response to the status query message from theremote control device 116, the lighting device 112 a may respond bytransmitting a status response message indicating that the lightingdevice 112 is at an intensity level of 10%. The remote control device116 may set the intensity level identified by the lighting device 122 asthe dynamic starting point upon which control of the intensity levelsfor the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be performed.The remote control device 116 may identify a continued rotation forincreasing the intensity level by an additional 20%. The remote controldevice 116 may add this 20% to the dynamic starting point of 10% thatwas indicated as the current intensity level of the lighting device 112a that responded to the previous status query message from the remotecontrol device 116. The remote control device 116 may send a digitalmessage to the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to controlthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to an absolute intensitylevel of 30%. The digital message may include a go-to-level command thatis configured to control each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122to an intensity level of 30%. Each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may receive the digital message (e.g., as a unicast message or amulticast message) and be controlled to the absolute intensity level of30%, unless the lighting device is already at the indicated intensitylevel. When the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in thesame state, the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may becontrolled as a group. For example, the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 may be controlled together from 10% to 30%. When the state ofthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is out of sync, thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be controlled differently toreach the indicated intensity level. For example, the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 that are above the indicated intensity level maydecrease the intensity level to meet the indicated intensity level. Thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that are below the indicatedintensity level may increase in the intensity level to meet theindicated intensity level. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 thatare already in the state indicated in the digital message may gounchanged in response to the digital message from the remote controldevice 116.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may fade from one intensity levelto another intensity level (e.g., be dimmed between intensity levelsover a fade time and/or at a fade rate) in response to receiving acommand. For example, the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may bedimmed at a rate or over a period of time such that each of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that is not already at the indicated intensitylevel reaches the intensity level at the same time. For example, theremote control device 116 may send the go-to-level command with anamount of time or fade rate over which the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 are to be dimmed until the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122reach the indicated intensity level (e.g., different fade rates or fadetimes may be transmitted to each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122). The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be dimmed over theindicated period of time to the intensity level indicated in thego-to-level command. When one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 are at different intensity levels, the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 may be sent unicast messages with different fade rates suchthat the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 at different intensitylevels reach the intensity level indicated in the go-to-level command atthe same time. The fade time may vary in a predetermined amount for eachlevel the intensity level may be increased or decreased.

The system controller 180 may operate as a parent device (e.g., a masterdevice) that may be configured to monitor the state of child devices(e.g., slave devices), such as lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, anddetermine the appropriate command to be transmitted in response to auser interface event based on the state of the slave devices. Though thesystem controller 180 may be described herein as being a master devicefor controlling a group of lighting devices, other control devices(e.g., one of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, remote controldevice 150, occupancy sensor 160, daylight sensor 170, network device190, motorized window treatment 132, a remote computing device, etc.)may be assigned as a master device that operates as described herein forthe system controller 180. When a lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 isassigned as the master device, the lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 mayalready know its own state, but may monitor the state of other slavedevices. Though other devices may operate as the master device, they maystill communicate via the system controller 180.

The system controller 180 may keep track of the on/off state of each ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 after being implemented in theload control system 100. Upon initial implementation into the loadcontrol system, the system controller 180 may transmit a status querymessage to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to query for theircurrent on/off state. The status query message may be sent as amulticast message, or individual unicast messages, to each of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may return the current on/off state, which may be stored locallythereon. The system controller 180 may identify commands communicated tothe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and maintain the current on/offstate of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in memory. The digitalmessages that are communicated to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122for controlling the on/off state may be monitored to determine thecurrent on/off state, without sending an initial status query message.The system controller 180 may be powered and/or awake at all times(e.g., at all times than the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are alsopowered), such that the system controller 180 is able to monitor thestates of the lighting devices by listening to the messages transmittedby the lighting devices. In addition, the system controller 180 mayenter a sleep mode and periodically wake up to transmit status querymessages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to determine theon/off states of the lighting devices.

When the system controller 180 receives an indication of a toggle eventfrom the remote control device 116, the system controller 180 may choosethe command to send, or whether to send a command, to the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The decision at the system controller 180 maybe based on the current on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122. The system controller 180 may identify whether the on/off stateacross the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is consistent. Ifthe on/off state across the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122is consistent, the system controller 180 may send the toggle command, oran “on” command or “off” command, to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 to toggle the on/off state of the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that change an on/off state inresponse to an “on” command or an “off” command may send a state updatemessage to the system controller 180 to indicate the change in on/offstate. The system controller 180 may receive the state update messagefrom the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that change state inresponse to the received “on” command or the received “off” command. Thelighting devices that fail to change the on/off state in response to thecommand from the system controller 180 may be unresponsive. For example,the system controller 180 may send an “off” command to the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and the lighting device 122 may update theon/off state to the “off” state. The lighting device 122 may send aresponse message to the system controller 180 to indicate the change instate. The system controller 180 may store the updated state and/orconfirm the state of the unresponsive devices. The system controller 180may, alternatively, store the updated state of the lighting device 122after sending the command. As the system controller 180 may bemaintaining the on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122,the remote control device 116 may go to sleep after transmitting amessage in response to the toggle event.

FIGS. 2A-2C are sequence diagrams depicting example message flows forgenerating lighting control commands in response to an actuation of anactuator (e.g., the actuation portion 117 and/or the rotation portion118 of the remote control device 116). FIGS. 2A and 2B depict examplemessage flows for querying for a current status of lighting devices inresponse to an actuation of a toggle actuator (e.g., the actuationportion 117) and generating lighting control commands in response to theidentified status. As shown in FIG. 2A, a remote control device 202 maytransmit a status query message 206 for identifying the status oflighting devices, such as lighting devices 204 a, 204 b (e.g., thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122). The status query message 206 may betransmitted as an initial message (e.g., after awakening from a sleepstate) after identifying a user interface event (e.g., actuation,rotation, finger swipe, etc.) and/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., asensing circuit sensing an occupant near the remote control device 116).The status query message 206 may be sent as a multicast message (e.g.,as shown in FIG. 2A) or individual unicast messages that are received bythe lighting devices 204 a, 204 b.

The remote control device 202 may receive a response to the status querymessage 206 from each of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b that receivethe status query message 206 and/or with which the remote control device202 is associated. For example, the lighting device 204 a may transmit astatus response message 208 in response to the status query message 206that indicates that the lighting device 204 a is in the off state. Thelighting device 204 b may transmit a status response message 210 inresponse to the status query message 206 that indicates that thelighting device 204 b is in the on state. The status response messagesmay also, or alternatively, indicate an intensity level (e.g., abrightness or intensity level), a color (e.g., a color temperature), orother status of the lighting device from which the status message istransmitted.

If the remote control device 202 determines that any of the lightingdevices 204 a, 204 b are in the on state, the remote control device 202may be configured to transmit a default toggle command, such as the offcommand 212. The off command 212 may be sent as a multicast message(e.g., as shown in FIG. 2A) or individual unicast messages that arereceived by the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b. Though an off command 212may be transmitted as the default toggle command as shown in FIG. 2A,the remote control device 202 may transmit an on command or anotherdefault command in response to identifying a status of one or more ofthe lighting devices 204 a, 204 b. The lighting device 204 b may turn tothe off state in response to receiving the off command 212.

The remote control device 202 may determine the control instructions forbeing sent to the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b based on the status ofone of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b. For example, the remotecontrol device 202 may determine the control instructions for being sentto the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b based on the status of a masterlighting device or a lighting device that is first to respond to thestatus query message 206. The remote control device 202 may control thestate of both of the lighting devices, 204 a, 204 b to respond to thestatus query message by sending a command to toggle the lightingdevices, or may toggle the other lighting devices in order tosynchronize the other devices with the state of the master lightingdevice or the first lighting device to respond.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the remote control device 202 may respond to thestatus of the first lighting device 204 a, 204 b to respond to a statusquery message. For example, a status query message 220 may be sent as amulticast message (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2B) or a unicast message toeach lighting device 204 a, 204 b. The lighting device 204 a may be thefirst device to receive the status query message 220 and/or from which astatus response message 222 is received in response. The status responsemessage 222 may indicate the status of the lighting device 204 a, whichmay cause the remote control device 202 to send the opposite command(e.g., an on command 224). The on command 224 may be sent as a multicastmessage (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2B) or a unicast message. While notshown in FIG. 2B, the lighting device 204 b may be the first device toreceive the status query message 220 and/or from which a status responsemessage is received in response. The status response message mayindicate the status of the lighting device 204 b, which may cause theremote control device 202 to send the opposite command (e.g., the offcommand 234). The off command 234 may be sent as a multicast message ora unicast message.

Though not shown in FIG. 2B, the remote control device 202 may scan forlighting devices 204 a, 204 b in a preferred state (e.g., an on/offstate, an intensity level, a color, etc.). The remote control device 202may send the status query message as a unicast message to each of thelighting devices 204 a, 204 b or as a multicast message to both lightingdevices 204 a, 204 b. The remote control device 202 may continue to senda status query message to each of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 buntil one of the lighting devices returns a non-preferred state. Forexample, remote control device 202 may send the status query message 206to the lighting device 204 a and receive the status response message 208prior to sending a status query message to the lighting device 204. Theremote control device 202 may stop scanning for lighting devices whenthe remote control device 202 receives a status message from a lightingdevice that identifies the lighting device as being in a non-preferredstate (e.g., state other than the preferred on/off state, intensitylevel, color, etc.), or when the remote control device 202 has scannedeach lighting device.

The remote control device 202 may transmit a status query message thatrequests a response from lighting devices in a particular state. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2B, the remote control device 202 may transmitthe status query message 220 that requests a response from lightingdevices in the off state. The status query message 220 may betransmitted as an initial message (e.g., after awakening from a sleepstate) after identifying a user interface event (e.g., actuation,rotation, finger swipe, etc.) and/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., asensing circuit sensing an occupant near the remote control device 116).The status query message 220 may be a multicast message (e.g., as shownin FIG. 2B) or individual unicast messages by the lighting devices 204a, 204 b with which the remote control device 202 may be associated.

As the lighting device 204 a is in the off state, the lighting device204 a may respond with the status response message 222 that indicatesthat the lighting device 204 a is in the off state. The status responsemessage 222 may indicate that the lighting device 204 a is in the offstate, or the transmission of the status response message 222 itself mayindicate that the lighting device 204 a is in the off state. As thelighting device 204 b is in the on state, the lighting device 204 b maybe unresponsive to the status query message 220.

The remote control device 202 may receive a response to the status querymessage 220 from the lighting device 204 a and determine that at leastone lighting device is in the off state. If the remote control device202 determines that any of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b are in theoff state, the remote control device 202 may be configured to transmit adefault toggle message, such as the on command 224. The on command 224may be sent as a multicast message or individual unicast messages thatare received by the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b.

FIG. 2C depicts an example message flow for querying for a currentstatus (e.g., intensity levels) of lighting devices in response to anactuation of an intensity adjustment actuator (e.g., the rotationportion 118) and generating lighting control commands in response to theidentified status. As shown in FIG. 2C, the remote control device 202may transmit a status query message 230 for identifying the intensitylevel of lighting devices, such as lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c,which may each be at differing intensity levels (as shown). The statusquery message 230 may be transmitted as an initial message (e.g., afterawakening from a sleep state) after identifying a user interface event(e.g., actuation, rotation, finger swipe, etc.) and/or a proximitysensing event (e.g., a sensing circuit sensing an occupant near theremote control device 116). The status query message 230 may be sent asa multicast message (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2C) or individual unicastmessages that are received by the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c.

The remote control device 202 may determine the control instructions forbeing sent to the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c based on thestatus of one of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c. For example,the remote control device 202 may determine the control instructions forbeing sent to the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 240 c based on thestatus (e.g., an intensity level) of a first lighting device to respondto the status query message 230 (e.g., lighting device 204 a as shown inFIG. 2C). The remote control device 202 may control the intensity levelsof all of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c by sending a commandto go to an updated intensity level that may be determined based on theintensity level of the first lighting device to respond to the statusquery message 206. For example, the lighting device 204 a may transmit astatus response message 232 that may indicate that the lighting device204 a is at an intensity level of 50%.

The remote control device 202 may use the intensity level of the firstlighting device 204 a, 204 b, 204 c to respond to the status querymessage 230 to control the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c. Inresponse to receiving the status response message 232 indicating thatthe lighting device 204 a is at the intensity level of 50%, the remotecontrol device 202 may transmit a command message 240 including amove-to-level command (e.g., a go-to command) to go to an updatedintensity level L_(NEW) of 60% to the lighting device 204 a. The remotecontrol device 202 may then transmit a command message 242 to thelighting device 204 b and a command message 244 to the lighting device204 c, where each of the command messages 242, 244 including the samemove-to-level command as included in the command message 240 (e.g., togo to the updated intensity level L_(NEW) of 60%). The command messages240, 242, 244 may be transmitted as unicast messages (e.g., as shown inFIG. 2C) or a multicast message. The remote control device 202 may beconfigured to determine a desired amount of change in the intensitylevel of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c in response to anamount of rotation of the rotation portion (e.g., a change in an angularposition of the rotation portion) since the rotation of the rotationportion first began until the command message 240 is transmitted, and todetermine the updated intensity level L_(NEW) to which to control thelighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c in response to the desired amountof change in the intensity level.

The remote control device 202 may continue to transmit command messagesto the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c as the rotation portion isrotated. For example, the remote control device 202 may transmit commandmessages 250, 252, 254 to the respective lighting devices 204 a, 204 b,204 c, where the command messages each include a move-to-level commandto go to an updated intensity level L_(NEW) of 70%. The command messages250, 252, 254 may be transmitted as unicast messages (e.g., as shown inFIG. 2C) or a multicast message. The remote control device 202 may beconfigured to determine the updated intensity level L_(NEW) to which tocontrol the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c in response to anamount of rotation of the rotation portion since the command message 240was transmitted until the command message 250 is transmitted.

The remote control device may then transmit command messages 260, 262,264 to the respective lighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c, where thecommand messages each include a move-to-level command to go to anupdated intensity level L_(NEW) of 80%. The command messages 260, 262,264 may be transmitted as unicast messages (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2C)or a multicast message. The remote control device 202 may be configuredto determine the updated intensity level L_(NEW) to which to control thelighting devices 204 a, 204 b, 204 c in response to an amount ofrotation of the rotation portion since the command message 250 wastransmitted until the command message 260 is transmitted.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are timing diagrams that depict examples of controlling(e.g., adjusting intensities of) lighting devices in a load controlsystem. FIG. 3A is a timing diagram depicting an example of a commandmessage event 300 for controlling lighting devices using move-to-levelcommands (e.g., go-to-level or go-to commands). As illustrated in FIG.3A, a move-to-level command message may be transmitted in response torotation of a rotation portion (e.g., the rotation portion 118 of theremote control device 116 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B). The move-to-levelcommand message 302 may be transmitted periodically (e.g., as indicatedby the filled transmission blocks in FIG. 3A). For example, themove-to-level command message 302 may be transmitted periodically at atransmission interval T_(TX) (e.g., a transmission period) while therotation portion of the remote control device is being rotated. Forexample, the transmission interval T_(TX) may be a time of approximately100 milliseconds.

A repeat command message 304 (e.g., indicated by non-filled transmissionblocks in FIG. 3A) of the move-to-level command message transmitted at302 may be transmitted. The repeat command messages 304 may betransmitted periodically. For example, the repeat command messages 304may be transmitted periodically at a repeat interval T_(RP) relative toa previous move-to-level command message 302 (e.g., at the end of therepeat interval T_(RP) from the beginning of the transmission intervalT_(TX) of the immediately-preceding move-to-level command message).Since the repeat command messages 304 may be transmitted at the repeatinterval T_(RP) from the beginning of the transmission interval T_(TX),the repeat command messages 304 may also be transmitted periodically atthe transmission interval T_(TX) while the rotation portion is beingrotated. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the repeat command message 304 mayinclude a repeat of the previous move-to-level command message 302. Therepeat interval T_(RP) may be a period of time less than (e.g., 50% lessthan) the transmission interval T_(TX) (e.g., the repeat interval T_(RP)may be half of the transmission interval T_(TX)). For example, thetransmission interval T_(TX) may be a first period of time (e.g., 100milliseconds) and the repeat interval T_(RP) may be a second period oftime (e.g., 50 milliseconds). The transmission of repeat commandmessages 304 may provide an increased probability that command messagesare received by the lighting devices and/or that the intensity levels ofthe lighting devices do not differ much from each other as the intensitylevels are being adjusted in response to the rotation portion.

As described herein, the move-to-level command messages 302 and therepeat command messages 304 may include an updated intensity levelL_(NEW) (e.g., an updated lighting level) and a fade period T_(FD). Thefade period T_(FD) may be the amount of time over which the intensitylevel is to be changed to the updated intensity level L_(NEW) by thelighting devices. As described herein, the fade period T_(FD) mayinclude a period of time that is longer than the transmission intervalT_(TX). For example, the fade period T_(FD) may be approximately 200milliseconds. When the fade period T_(FD) includes a period of time thatis longer than the transmission interval T_(TX), a lighting device willnot stop changing its respective intensity level in response to aprevious command message before a subsequent command message isreceived. Further, if a lighting device fails to receive a move-to-levelcommand message 302, the lighting device may receive the repeat commandmessage 304 (e.g., following that move-to-level command message) duringthe fade period (e.g., while the lighting device is still transitioningto the updated intensity level L_(NEW)), which may provide anunnoticeable effect on the change in the intensity levels at thelighting devices (e.g., to minimize the difference between the intensitylevels of the lighting devices). For example, as the repeat intervalT_(RP) is shorter than the transmission interval T_(TX) and the fadeperiod T_(FD), repeat command message 304 may be received within ashorter period of time relative to the transmission of a subsequentmove-to-level command message 302 and the fade period T_(FD)). Inaddition, the repeat command message 304 may allow to lighting devicesto “catch up” and change its intensity level accordingly over the fadeperiod T_(FD).

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the move-to-level command messages 302 (e.g.,indicated by the filled-in transmission blocks) and the repeat commandmessages 304 (e.g., indicated by the un-filled transmission blocks) maybe transmitted while the rotation portion is being rotated. Afterrotation of the rotation portion has stopped, the remote control devicemay transmit a number of repeat command messages 304. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 3A, the remote control device may transmit 5 repeatcommand messages 304 after detecting that the rotation portion hasstopped rotating (e.g., stopped rotation in the clockwise orcounter-clockwise direction). The remote control device may detect thatthe rotation portion has stopped rotating when a period of time since arotation of the rotation portion was last detected exceeds a thresholdtime period. As described herein, the repeat command message 304transmitted after rotation has stopped may each include themove-to-level command message 302 transmitted last (e.g., the lastfilled-in transmission block in FIG. 3A). The number of repeats mayprovide an increased probability that the last move-to-level commandmessage is received by the lighting devices. For example, if thelighting device fails to receive the move-to-level command messages 302,the lighting device may receive one of the repeat command messages 304,which may ensure that all of the lighting devices end up at the sameintensity level (e.g., as indicated in the last move-to-level commandmessage).

FIG. 3B is a timing diagram depicting an example of a command messageevent 350 for controlling lighting devices using direct commands (e.g.,a “toggle” command, an “on” command, or an “off” command). Asillustrated in FIG. 3B, a direct command message 310 may be transmittedin response to an actuation of an actuation portion (e.g., the actuationportion 117 of the remote control device 116 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B).The direct command message 310 may include a direct command (e.g., a“toggle” command, an “on” command, or an “off” command). After thedirect command message 310 is transmitted, a number of repeat commandmessages 312 of the direct command message 310 may be transmitted. Asillustrated in FIG. 3B, the repeat command messages 312 (e.g., indicatedby the un-filled transmission blocks in FIG. 3B) may be transmittedperiodically at the repeat interval T_(RP) (e.g., at a rate of everT_(RP)). As described herein, the repeat command message 312 may includethe direct command of the direct command message 310. The repeat commandmessages 312 may provide an increased probability that the directcommand messages are received by the lighting devices. For example, ifthe lighting device fails to receive the direct command messages 310,the lighting device may receive one of the repeat command messages 312.

FIG. 4 includes plots 400, 402 that depict examples of controlling(e.g., adjusting the intensity level of) lighting devices in a loadcontrol system (e.g., the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 of the loadcontrol system 100 and/or the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b). Thelighting devices may be configured to adjust their respective intensitylevels in response to received command messages. As illustrated in asequence diagram 404 at the bottom of FIG. 4 , a plurality ofmove-to-level command messages 411, 412, 413, 414 may be periodicallytransmitted (e.g., at a transmission interval). The move-to-levelcommand messages 411-414 (e.g., indicated by the filled transmissionblocks) may be transmitted in response to a user input (e.g., a rotationof a rotation portion). As described herein, the move-to-level commandmessages 411-414 may include an updated intensity level L_(NEW) to whichthe lighting devices is to change to and a fade period T_(FD) (e.g., anamount of time over which the intensity level is changed to the updatedintensity level L_(NEW) at the lighting devices). Further, one or morerepeat command messages of the previous move-to-level command message(e.g., the immediately-preceding move-to-level command) may beperiodically transmitted. As illustrated in FIG. 4 , repeat commandmessages 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427 may be periodicallytransmitted. The repeat command messages 421-427 may include the samemove-to-level command of the previous move-to-level command message.

As described herein, the move-to-level command messages 411-414 and therepeat command messages 421-427 may each include the intensity levelL_(NEW) and a fade period T_(FD). The updated intensity level L_(NEW) ofeach move-to-level command message 411-414 may be dependent upon theamount of rotation of the rotation portion between successivemove-to-level command messages (e.g., from the beginning to the end ofone of the transmission intervals T_(TX), such as between t₀ and t₂ asshown in FIG. 4 ). The fade period T_(FD) may be a period of time thatis longer than the transmission interval T_(TX) and the repeat intervalT_(RP), which may provide smooth intensity level transitions. Referringto FIG. 4 , the fade period T_(FD) may include a period of time that istwice as long as the transmission interval T_(TX) (e.g., the period oftime at which command messages are transmitted). When the fade periodT_(FD) includes a period of time that is longer than the transmissioninterval T_(TX), the lighting device's transitions to updated intensitylevels may be ongoing while subsequent move-to-level command messagesare received.

During rotation of the rotation portion, one or more move-to-levelcommand messages 411-414 may be transmitted at the transmission intervalT_(TX). Similarly, one or more repeat command messages 421-427 of aprevious move-to-level command message 411-414 may be transmitted at therepeat interval T_(RP). Since the fade period T_(FD) is longer than thetransmission interval T_(TX), the lighting device may not stop adjustingthe intensity level of the lighting device until at least one subsequentmove-to-level command message is received. For example, the lightingdevice may continue to adjust its intensity level, without stops orinterruption in the adjustment, as subsequent move-to-level commandmessages are received. Further, as the intensity level is being adjustedin response to rotations of the rotation portion, which may, forexample, be perceived to be smooth adjustments, stops or interruptionsin adjustment of the intensity level may generate visibly stepped,irregular, or unsmooth adjustments in the intensity level of thelighting device. One or more of the transmitted move-to-level commandmessages 411-414 and/or repeat command messages 421-427 of themove-to-level command may not be received. However, as the fade timeincluded in a move-to-level command message is longer than thetransmission interval T_(TX) plus the repeat interval T_(RP), thelighting device may receive the repeat command messages after asubsequent move-to-level command before adjustment of the intensitylevel is stopped. As a result, the lighting device may not stop changingthe intensity level until the rotation of the rotation portion hasstopped, which may reduce the visible flicker of lighting devices.

At time t₀, for example, in response to rotation of a rotation portion,a first move-to-level command message 411 may be transmitted. The firstmove-to-level command message 411 may include a command for the lightingdevices to transition to an intensity level of 18% over the fade periodT_(FD) (e.g., 200 milliseconds). As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the bothlighting devices may initially be at an intensity level of 10%. Thelighting devices, in response to receiving the first move-to-levelcommand message 411, may begin to transition to the intensity level of18% over the fade period T_(FD). At time t₁ (e.g., the repeat intervalT_(RP) of time after time t₀), a repeat command message 421 may betransmitted. The repeat command message 421 may include a repeat of thecommand of the first move-to-level command message 411.

At time t₂, (e.g., the transmission interval T_(TX) of time after timet₀), in response to continued rotation, a second move-to-level commandmessage 412 may be transmitted. The second move-to-level command message412 may include a command for lighting devices to transition to anintensity level of 30%. The second move-to-level command message 412 maybe received by the first lighting device, and the first lighting devicemay begin to transition to the intensity level of 30% over the fadeperiod T_(FD) (e.g., rather than continuing to transition to theintensity level of 18% in response to the first move-to-level commandmessage 411 as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 4 ). However, thesecond move-to-level command 412 may not be received (e.g., missed) bythe second lighting device, and second lighting device may continue totransition to the intensity level of 18% (e.g., based on the firstmove-to-level command message 411). At time t₃, a repeat command message422 may be transmitted. The repeat command message 422 may include arepeat of the command of the second move-to-level command message 412.The repeat command message 422 may be received by the second lightingdevice, and the second lighting device may then being to transition tothe intensity level of 30% over the fade time T_(FD) (e.g., rather thancontinuing to transition to the intensity level of 18% in response tothe first move-to-level command message 411 as indicated by the dashedline).

At time t₄, a third move-to-level command message 413 may betransmitted, for example, in response to continued rotation of therotation portion. The third move-to-level command message 413 mayinclude a command for the lighting devices to transition to an intensitylevel of 35% over the fade time T_(FD). The lighting devices may bothreceive the third move-to-level command message 413 and begin totransition to the intensity level of 35% over the fade time T_(FD)(e.g., rather than continuing to transition to the intensity level of30% in response to the first move-to-level command message 411 and/orthe repeat command message 422 as indicated by the dashed lines in FIG.4 ). At time t₅, a repeat command message 423 may be transmitted, whichmay include a repeat of the command of the third move-to-level commandmessage 413. At t₆, in response to a final amount of rotation, a fourthmove-to-level command message 414 may be transmitted. The fourthmove-to-level command message 414 may include a command for the lightingdevice to transition to the intensity level of 45% over the fade timeT_(FD). The lighting devices may both receive the fourth move-to-levelcommand message 414 and begin to transition to the intensity level of45% over the fade time T_(FD). As described herein, after rotation hasstopped, a number of repeat command messages including the last command(e.g., the command of the fourth move-to-level command message 414) maybe transmitted. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , repeat commandmessages 424, 425, 426, 427 may be transmitted at times t₇, t₈, t₉, andt₁₀, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , a plurality of move-to-level command messagesand repeat command messages including the command of the previousmove-to-level command message may be transmitted to a plurality oflighting devices in response to a user input (e.g., rotation of therotation portion). Further, one or more of the transmitted move-to-levelcommand messages and/or the repeat command messages may not be receivedby one or more of the controllable lighting devices. If, however, thefade period T_(FD) is longer than the transmission interval T_(TX), amissed command message may not provide a noticeable difference in theintensity levels of the respective lighting devices. In addition, theintensity levels of the respective lighting devices may begin toconverge back together as subsequent move-to-level command message andrepeat command messages are received. Further, the intensity levels ofthe respective lighting devices may eventually end up at the sameintensity level in response to receiving the last move-to-level commandmessage (e.g., the fourth move-to-level command 414) and/or thesubsequent repeat command messages (e.g., the repeat command messages424-427). For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , even though the secondmove-to-level command message 412 is missed by the second lightingdevice at time t₂, the both lighting devices may eventually reach theintensity level of 45% at time t₁₀ and the differences in the intensitylevel of the respective lighting devices may be minimal.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart depicting an example procedure 500 forcontrolling (e.g., adjusting the intensity level of) at least onelighting device in a load control system. The procedure 500 may beperformed at one or more devices in the load control system. Forexample, the procedure 500, or portions thereof, may be performed by acontrol device, such as a remote control device (e.g., the remotecontrol device 116, 202), another controller device (e.g., the remotecontrol device 150, the occupancy sensor 160, the daylight sensor 170,and/or the network device 190), a system controller (e.g., the systemcontroller 180), a master device, and/or another computing device. Theprocedure 500 may be performed: after awakening from a sleep state;after identifying a user event (e.g., actuation, rotation, finger swipe,etc.); and/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., a sensing circuit sensingan occupant near the remote control device). For example, the procedure500 may be executed at 502 by a remote control device in response to arotation of a rotation portion (e.g., when the rotation portion 118 ofthe remote control device 116 is first rotated), which may cause theremote control device to wake up. The procedure 500 may be used by theremote control device to determine an initial state (e.g., an initialintensity level) for a lighting device (e.g., lighting devices 204 a,204 b). The procedure 500 may be executed once when the remote controldevice wakes up in response to the rotation of the rotation portion.

At 504, the control device may store an initial position (e.g., aninitial angular position) of the rotation portion. At 506, the controldevice may transmit a status query message requesting the presentintensity level of the lighting device. At 508, the control device maydetermine whether a response (e.g., a status response message) to thestatus query message has been received or not. If the response to thestatus query message has not been received at 508, the control devicemay determine whether a variable N_(TX-QUERY) is equal to a maximumquery value N_(Q-MAX) or not at 510. The variable N_(TX-QUERY) mayindicate the number of query messages that have been transmitted and themaximum query value N_(Q-MAX) may indicate the maximum number of querymessages that may be transmitted. If the variable N_(TX-QUERY) is notequal to the maximum query value N_(Q-MAX) at 510, the control devicemay increment the variable N_(TX-QUERY) at 512 and transmit anotherstatus query message for querying for the present intensity level at506.

When a response to the query message has been received at 508, thecontrol device may store a received intensity level (e.g., that wasincluded in the response to the query message) as an initial levelL_(INIT) at 514. The control device may set the variable N_(TX-QUERY) tozero at 516, and may start a rotation event at 518. During the rotationevent, the control device may periodically transmit command messages(e.g., move-to-level command messages and repeat command messages) tothe lighting device (e.g., during procedure 550 described below withreference to FIG. 5B). At 520, the control device may clear a repeatflag (e.g., to prepare for execution of the procedure 550), and theprocedure 500 may exit. The repeat flag may include an indication ofwhether the device is to transmit a move-to-level command message or arepeat command message during the procedure 550 (e.g., as will bedescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 5B). When aresponse to the query message has not been received at 508, but thevariable N_(TX-QUERY) is equal to the maximum query value N_(Q-MAX)(e.g., the number of status queries transmitted is equal to the maximumnumber of queries that may be transmitted) at 510, a previous intensitylevel L_(PRES) may be stored as the initial level L_(INIT) at 522. Forexample, the previous intensity level L_(PRES) may be an intensity levelto which the control device controlled the lighting device at the end ofa previous rotation event. The control device may then set the variableN_(TX-QUERY) to zero at 516, start a rotation event at 518, and clearthe repeat flag at 520, before the procedure exits.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart depicting an example procedure 550 forcontrolling (e.g., adjusting the intensity level of) at least onelighting device in a load control system. The procedure 550 may beperformed at one or more devices in the load control system. Forexample, the procedure 550, or portions thereof, may be performed by acontrol device, such as, a remote control device (e.g., the remotecontrol device 116, 202), another controller device (e.g., the remotecontrol device 150, the occupancy sensor 160, the daylight sensor 170,and/or the network device 190), a system controller (e.g., the systemcontroller 180), a master device, and/or another computing device. Theprocedure 500 may be performed: after awakening from a sleep state;after identifying a user event (e.g., actuation, rotation, finger swipe,etc.); and/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., a sensing circuit sensingan occupant near the remote control device). For example, the procedure550 may be executed periodically at 552 by a remote control deviceduring a rotation event (e.g., which may be started at 524 of theprocedure 500). The procedure 550 may be used by the remote controldevice to transmit command messages (e.g., move-to-level commandmessages and repeat command messages) to control the intensity level ofthe lighting device during the rotation event. The procedure 550 may beexecuted periodically at the repeat interval T_(RP) (e.g., half of thetransmission interval T_(TX)) until the device returns to a sleep state.

At 554, the control device may determine whether rotation of therotation portion (e.g., rotation of the rotation portion 118 of theremote control device 116) has occurred or not. For example, when theprocedure 550 is first executed after the rotation event has started,the control device may determine at 554 as to whether rotation of therotation portion has occurred or not since the initial position of theknob is stored at 504 of the procedure 500 shown in FIG. 5A. When theprocedure 550 is subsequently executed during the rotation event, thecontrol device may determine at 554 as to whether rotation of therotation portion has occurred or not within the last transmissioninterval T_(TX). If there has been rotation of the rotation portion at554, the control device may determine whether a repeat flag is set ornot at 556. The repeat flag may include an indication of whether thedevice is to transmit a move-to-level command message or a repeatcommand message. If the repeat flag is not set at 556, the controldevice may initialize a variable N_(TX-REPEAT) (e.g., set to 0) at 558.For example, the variable N_(TX-REPEAT) may include an indication of thenumber of times that a particular move-to-level command has beenrepeated at the end of the rotation event (e.g., as will be described ingreater detail below).

At 560, the control device may determine the amount of rotation of therotation portion (e.g., a change in an angular portion of the rotationportion). For example, when the procedure 550 is first executed afterthe rotation event has started, the control device may determine theamount of rotation of the rotation portion since the initial position ofthe knob is stored (e.g., at 504 of the procedure 500) at 560. When theprocedure 550 is subsequently executed during the rotation event, thecontrol device may determine the amount of rotation of the rotationportion within the last transmission interval T_(TX) (e.g., sincebeginning of the last transmission interval TO at 560. At 560, thecontrol device may determine a change ΔL in the intensity level due tothe amount of rotation based on the amount of rotation within the lasttransmission interval T_(TX).

Next, the control device may determine an updated intensity levelL_(NEW) (e.g., to which to control the lighting device) for the nextmove-to-level command message based on the determined change ΔL in theintensity level due to the amount of rotation. For example, if this isthe first move-to-level command message to be transmitted as part of therotation event at 564, the control device may set the updated intensitylevel L_(NEW) equal to an initial intensity level L_(INIT) (e.g., asdetermined at 520 of the procedure 500) plus the determined change ΔL inthe intensity level at 566. If this is not the first move-to-levelcommand message to be transmitted as part of the rotation event at 564,the control device may set updated intensity level L_(NEW) equal to theprevious updated intensity level L_(NEW) (e.g., the updated intensitylevel L_(NEW) transmitted as part of the previous move-to-level command)plus the determined change ΔL in the intensity level at 568.

At 570, the control device may transmit a move-to-level command message.For example, the move-to-level command message may include the updatedintensity level L_(NEW) and a fade period T_(FD). As described herein,the fade period T_(FD) may be the amount of time over which totransition to the updated intensity level L_(NEW). The fade periodT_(FD) may be a period of time that is longer that the transmissioninterval T_(TX). The fade period T_(FD) may be the same each time thatthe move-to-level command is transmitted. At 572, the control device mayset the repeat flag, which may indicate that the first instance of themove-to-level command has been transmitted.

As described herein, the repeat flag may include an indication ofwhether the device to transmit a repeat command message as opposed to amove-to-level command message. If, the transmit flag is set at 556, thecontrol device may transmit a repeat command message at 574. The repeatcommand message may include the move-to-level command that waspreviously transmitted (e.g., at 570). At 576, the control device mayclear the repeat flag (e.g., which may indicate that the anothermove-to-level command message may been transmitted next).

If there has been rotation of the rotation portion at 554 (e.g., sincethe beginning of the last transmission interval T_(TX)), the controldevice may determine whether the variable N_(TX-REPEAT) is equal to amaximum repeat value NR-MAX or not at 576. The maximum repeat valueNR-MAX may include an indication of the maximum number of repeat commandmessages (e.g., the repeat command message indicate by un-filledtransmission blocks in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4 ) that may be transmitted at theend of the rotation event. If the variable N_(TX-REPEAT) is not equal tothe maximum repeat value NR-MAX at 578, the control device may transmita repeat command message at 580. The repeat command message may includethe move-to-level command that was previously transmitted (e.g., at570). At 582, the control device may increment the variableN_(TX-REPEAT), before the procedure 550 exits. If the variableN_(TX-REPEAT) is equal to maximum repeat value NR-MAX at 578, thecontrol device may reset the variable N_(TX-REPEAT) to zero at 584 andend the rotation event at 586. At 558, the control device may store thepresent intensity level L_(PRES) of the lighting device as a previousintensity level L_(PRES) (e.g., which may set used at 522 of theprocedure 500). At 590, the control device may enter a sleep state,before the procedure 550 exits.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example load control device,e.g., a load control device 600, as described herein. The load controldevice 600 may be a dimmer switch, an electronic switch, a lightingdevice (e.g., a light bulb, an electronic ballast for lamps, an LEDdriver for LED light sources, etc.), an AC plug-in load control devicefor controlling a plugged electrical load, a controllable electricalreceptacle, a temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat), a motordrive unit for a motorized window treatment, a motor drive unit for afan (e.g., ceiling fan), an audio device (e.g., a controllable speakeror playback device), an appliance, a security camera device, or otherload control device. The load control device 600 may include acommunications circuit 602. The communications circuit 602 may include areceiver, an RF transceiver, or other communications module capable ofperforming wired and/or wireless communications via communications link610. The communications circuit 602 may be in communication with acontrol circuit 604. The control circuit 604 may include one or moregeneral purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventionalprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors,integrated circuits, a programmable logic device (PLD), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The control circuit604 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control,input/output processing, or any other functionality that enables theload control device 600 to perform as described herein.

The control circuit 604 may store information in and/or retrieveinformation from the memory 606. For example, the memory 606 maymaintain a registry of associated control devices and/or controlconfiguration instructions. The memory 606 may include a non-removablememory and/or a removable memory. The load control circuit 608 mayreceive instructions from the control circuit 604 and may control theelectrical load 616 based on the received instructions. The load controlcircuit 608 may send status feedback to the control circuit 604regarding the status of the electrical load 616. The load controlcircuit 608 may receive power via the hot connection 612 and the neutralconnection 614 and may provide an amount of power to the electrical load616. The electrical load 616 may include any type of electrical load.

The control circuit 604 may be in communication with an actuator 618(e.g., one or more buttons) that may be actuated by a user tocommunicate user selections to the control circuit 604. For example, theactuator 618 may be actuated to put the control circuit 604 in anassociation mode and/or communicate association messages from the loadcontrol device 600.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example controller device 700as described herein. The controller device 700 may be a remote controldevice, an occupancy sensor, a daylight sensor, a window sensor, atemperature sensor, and/or the like. The controller device 700 mayinclude a control circuit 702 for controlling the functionality of thecontroller device 700. The control circuit 702 may include one or moregeneral purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventionalprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors,integrated circuits, a programmable logic device (PLD), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The control circuit702 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control,input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables thecontroller device 700 to perform as described herein.

The control circuit 702 may store information in and/or retrieveinformation from the memory 704. The memory 704 may include anon-removable memory and/or a removable memory, as described herein.

The controller device 700 may include one or more light sources, such asone or more LEDs 712, for providing feedback to a user. The one or moreLEDs 712 may be included in a status indicator and may be controlled bythe control circuit 702. The control circuit 702 may control the LEDs712 as described herein to provide feedback to the user.

The controller device 700 may include a communications circuit 708 fortransmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit708 may transmit and/or receive information via wired and/or wirelesscommunications. The communications circuit 708 may include atransmitter, an RF transceiver, or other circuit capable of performingwired and/or wireless communications. The communications circuit 708 maybe in communication with control circuit 702 for transmitting and/orreceiving information.

The control circuit 702 may also be in communication with an inputcircuit 706. The input circuit 706 may include an actuator (e.g., one ormore buttons), a rotating or sliding portion, or a sensor circuit (e.g.,an occupancy sensor circuit, a daylight sensor circuit, or a temperaturesensor circuit) for receiving input that may be sent to a device forcontrolling an electrical load. The input circuit 706 may also comprisea proximity sensing circuit for sensing an occupant in the vicinity ofthe controller device 700. For example, the controller device 702 mayreceive input from the input circuit 706 to put the control circuit 702in an association mode and/or communicate association messages from thecontroller device 700. The control circuit 702 may receive informationfrom the input circuit 706 (e.g. an indication that a button has beenactuated, a rotation portion has been rotated, or information has beensensed) and/or an indication of a proximity sensing event. The inputcircuit 706 may comprise an actuator (e.g., a mechanical tactile switch)configured be actuated as an on/off event (e.g., in response to anactuation of the actuation portion 117). The input circuit 706 may alsocomprise a rotational position sensing circuit (e.g., a magnetic sensingcircuit, such as a Hall effect sensing circuit) for sensing rotations(e.g., the angular position and/or direction of rotation) of a rotationportion (e.g., the rotation portion 118). Each of the modules within thecontroller device 700 may be powered by a power source 710.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example network device 800 asdescribed herein. The network device 800 may include the network device190, for example. The network device 800 may include a control circuit802 for controlling the functionality of the network device 800. Thecontrol circuit 802 may include one or more general purpose processors,special purpose processors, conventional processors, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, a programmablelogic device (PLD), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), orthe like. The control circuit 802 may perform signal coding, dataprocessing, power control, input/output processing, or any otherfunctionality that enables the network device 800 to perform asdescribed herein. The control circuit 802 may store information inand/or retrieve information from the memory 804. The memory 804 mayinclude a non-removable memory and/or a removable memory. Thenon-removable memory may include random-access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of non-removable memorystorage. The removable memory may include a subscriber identity module(SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card, or any other type ofremovable memory.

The network device 800 may include a communications circuit 808 fortransmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit808 may perform wireless and/or wired communications. The communicationscircuit 808 may include an RF transceiver or other circuit capable ofperforming wireless communications via an antenna. Communicationscircuit 808 may be in communication with control circuit 802 fortransmitting and/or receiving information.

The control circuit 802 may also be in communication with a display 806for providing information to a user. The control circuit 802 and/or thedisplay 806 may generate GUIs for being displayed on the network device800. The display 806 and the control circuit 802 may be in two-waycommunication, as the display 806 may include a touch screen modulecapable of receiving information from a user and providing suchinformation to the control circuit 802. The network device may alsoinclude an actuator 812 (e.g., one or more buttons) that may be actuatedby a user to communicate user selections to the control circuit 802.

Each of the modules within the network device 800 may be powered by apower source 810. The power source 810 may include an AC power supply orDC power supply, for example. The power source 810 may generate a supplyvoltage V_(CC) for powering the modules within the network device 800.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an example system controller 900(e.g., a hub device) as described herein. The system controller 900 mayinclude a control circuit 902 for controlling the functionality of thesystem controller 900. The control circuit 902 may include one or moregeneral purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventionalprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors,integrated circuits, a programmable logic device (PLD), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The control circuit902 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control,input/output processing, or any other functionality that enables thesystem controller 900 to perform as described herein. The controlcircuit 902 may store information in and/or retrieve information fromthe memory 904. The memory 904 may include a non-removable memory and/ora removable memory. The non-removable memory may include random-accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type ofnon-removable memory storage. The removable memory may include asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card, orany other type of removable memory.

The system controller 900 may include a communications circuit 908 fortransmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit908 may perform wireless and/or wired communications. The systemcontroller 900 may also, or alternatively, include a communicationscircuit 912 for transmitting and/or receiving information. Thecommunications circuit 912 may perform wireless and/or wiredcommunications. Communications circuits 908 and 912 may be incommunication with control circuit 902. The communications circuits 908and 912 may include RF transceivers or other communications modulescapable of performing wireless communications via an antenna. Thecommunications circuit 908 and communications circuit 912 may be capableof performing communications via the same communication channels ordifferent communication channels. For example, the communicationscircuit 908 may be capable of communicating (e.g., with a networkdevice, over a network, etc.) via a wireless communication channel(e.g., BLUETOOTH®, near field communication (NFC), WI-FI®, WIMAX®,cellular, etc.) and the communications circuit 912 may be capable ofcommunicating (e.g., with control devices and/or other devices in theload control system) via another wireless communication channel (e.g.,ZIGBEE®, THREAD®, or a proprietary communication channel, such as CLEARCONNECT™).

The control circuit 902 may be in communication with an LED indicator914 for providing indications to a user. The control circuit 902 may bein communication with an actuator 906 (e.g., one or more buttons) thatmay be actuated by a user to communicate user selections to the controlcircuit 902. For example, the actuator 906 may be actuated to put thecontrol circuit 902 in an association mode and/or communicateassociation messages from the system controller 900.

Each of the modules within the system controller 900 may be powered by apower source 910. The power source 910 may include an AC power supply orDC power supply, for example. The power source 910 may generate a supplyvoltage V_(CC) for powering the modules within the system controller900.

Although features and elements are described herein in particularcombinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in anycombination with the other features and elements. For example, thefunctionality described herein may be described as being performed by acontrol device, such as a remote control device or a lighting device,but may be similarly performed by a system controller or a networkdevice. The methods described herein may be implemented in a computerprogram, software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readablemedium for execution by a computer or processor. Examples ofcomputer-readable media include electronic signals (transmitted overwired or wireless connections) and computer-readable storage media.Examples of computer-readable storage media include, but are not limitedto, a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), removabledisks, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatiledisks (DVDs).

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device comprising: a communicationcircuit; and a control circuit configured to transmit command messages,via the communication circuit, at a transmission interval, the controlcircuit further configured to: transmit a first command messagecomprising a first intensity level and a first fade period forcontrolling an intensity level of a lighting load; and during the firstfade period over which the intensity level of the lighting load iscontrolled in response to the first command message, transmit a secondcommand message comprising a second intensity level and a second fadeperiod, wherein the first fade period is longer than the transmissioninterval between the first command message and the second commandmessage to enable the intensity level of the lighting load to continueto be adjusted based on the second command message.
 2. The controldevice of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to: receivean input; and in response to the received input, determine the firstintensity level and the first fade period of the first command messageand the second intensity level and the second fade period of the secondcommand message.
 3. The control device of claim 2, wherein the controldevice further comprises a user interface, wherein the input is receivedvia the user interface.
 4. The control device of claim 3, furthercomprising a rotation portion configured to be rotated, wherein thecontrol circuit is configured to determine the first intensity level ofthe first command message and second intensity level of second commandmessage in response to an amount of rotation of the rotary knob.
 5. Thecontrol device of claim 1, wherein the first fade period of the firstcommand message and the second fade period of the second command messageare the same.
 6. The control device of claim 1, wherein the firstintensity level of first command message and the second intensity levelof the second command message are different.
 7. The control device ofclaim 1, wherein the first command message and the second commandmessage include respective go-to-level commands.
 8. The control deviceof claim 1, wherein the communication circuit is configured to transmitthe first command message and the second command message via a wiredcommunication.
 9. A method comprising: transmitting a first commandmessage comprising a first intensity level and a first fade period forcontrolling an intensity level of a lighting load; and during the firstfade period over which the lighting load is controlled in response tothe first command message, transmitting a second command messagecomprising a second intensity level and a second fade period, whereinthe second command message is transmitted at a transmission intervalafter the first command message, wherein the first fade period of thefirst command message is longer than the transmission interval betweenthe first command message and the second command message to enable theintensity level of the lighting load to continue to be adjusted based onthe second command message.
 10. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising: receiving an input; and in response to the received input,determining the first intensity level and the first fade period of thefirst command message and the second intensity level and the second fadeperiod of the second command message.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the input is received from a user interface of a control device.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control device comprises arotation portion of a rotary knob, and wherein the input is received inresponse to an amount of rotation of the rotary knob.
 13. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the first fade period of the first command message andthe second fade period of the second command message are the same. 14.The method of claim 9, wherein the first intensity level of firstcommand message and the second intensity level of the second commandmessage are different.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstcommand message and the second command message include respectivego-to-level commands.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstcommand message and the second command message are transmitted via awired communication.
 17. A load control system comprising: a loadcontrol device configured to control an intensity level of a lightingload; and a control device configured to transmit command messages tothe load control device at a transmission interval for controlling thelighting load, the control device further configured to: transmit afirst command message comprising a first intensity level and a firstfade period for controlling the lighting load; during the first fadeperiod over which the intensity level of the lighting load is controlledin response to the first command message, transmit a second commandmessage comprising a second intensity level and a second fade period,wherein the first fade period of the first command message is longerthan the transmission interval between the first command message and thesecond command message to enable the intensity level of the lightingload to continue to be adjusted based on the second command message; andwherein the load control device is configured to, in response toreceiving the first command message, control the intensity level of thelighting load to the first intensity level of the first command messageover the first fade period of the first command message, and, inresponse to receiving the second command message, control the intensitylevel of the lighting load to the second intensity level in the secondcommand message over the second fade period of the second commandmessage.
 18. The load control system of claim 17, wherein the first fadeperiod of the first command message and the second fade period of thesecond command message are the same.
 19. The load control system ofclaim 17, wherein the first intensity level of the first command messageand the second intensity level of the second command message aredifferent.
 20. The load control system of claim 17, wherein the firstcommand message and the second command message include respectivego-to-level commands.
 21. The load control system of claim 17, whereinthe control device is configured to transmit the first command messageand the second command message via a wired communication.